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PBAC weight-loss drug decision imminent
Patients are spending as much as $5000 a year on private market GLP-1 therapies – an incoming PBAC recommendation could change that.
‘Governments across the world are trying to work out how we tap into the benefits of this drug, but do it in an equitable way’: Health Minister.
A long-awaited decision on whether weight-loss drugs should be included on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is expected to be handed down in a matter of weeks, the Health Minister says.
But an expert warns a successful PBS bid might only benefit a small number of patients, when considering current prescribing guidelines, resulting in sensitive conversations between GPs and their patients who miss out.
Access to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medicines for obesity was discussed at the November meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
It follows a request from Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler earlier this year, seeking advice on ensuring equitable access to the medicines.
Also on the agenda was a resubmission for semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) to be included in the drug subsidy scheme for the treatment of patients with established cardiovascular disease with obesity.
Minister Butler has now confirmed the PBAC is ‘pretty close’ to finalising its advice.
He said there are currently ‘hundreds of thousands of people’ using the medications under private prescription, paying up to $5000 a year.
‘There’s a big number of Australians who would benefit from these drugs that just can’t afford that money,’ Minister Butler told ABC Radio.
‘Governments across the world are trying to work out how we tap into the benefits of this drug, but do it in an equitable way as well. And I’m expecting to receive that advice from those experts very shortly.
‘Maybe not before Christmas because time marches on. But my advice was they’re pretty close … It’ll probably be early next year now.’
The World Health Organization recently endorsed GLP-1 therapies for the long-term treatment of obesity.
A current newsGP poll also shows 80% of respondents think GLP-1 RA medicines should be added to the PBS as a treatment for obesity.
Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Obesity Management, GP and dietitian Dr Terri-Lynne South, said there are positive signs that a PBS listing might be possible, but it may only be available to a small group of patients.
Dr South also hopes there will not be limitations on which prescribers can write PBS scripts for obesity management medication, such as restricting it to only endocrinologists.
‘We are closer than previous PBS applications, with greater evidence for health improvements which can have a positive economic impact on the health budget,’ she told newsGP.
‘Allowing GPs to prescribe these medications would ensure some patients can access more affordable care, but it will likely only be a small proportion of patients eligible for prescription based on Therapeutic Goods Administration guidance.
‘This will need to be communicated sensitively to our patients.’
The RACGP updated its position statement on obesity prevention and management earlier this year, which backs obesity-management medication, including semaglutide-based drugs, being subsidised on the PBS to reduce health inequity.
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newsGP weekly poll
Research has found most people return to their original weight after stopping weight-loss medication; have you seen this among your patients?